In full: I haven't done much running for about 12 years, haven't had the time to train. I still haven't got the time to train much, but I decided to get back into it. I use to run around Boxhill and Dorking about 20 years ago and enjoyed it then. One of my first runs this year was the Boxhill half marathon, very hard I forgot what the steps were like, but I had a huge sense of achievement and a crappy time. I will have a go at the marathon next year, hopefully.I relearnt an awful lot of hard leasons cramp, etc... The Greensand Marathon, what a great day all fired much better time(for me still struggling to find time to train). Great route, great running weather for me (puddles a bit deep, I could have done with a snorkel at one stage). I would recommend this run to anybody that enjoys running.Date of review: November 5, 2012

In short: “There's tough, and then there's Trionium... the hardest stuff known to man”! That sums up the Greensand Marathon.In full: Once again, today I was running yet another marathon “In England’s green and pleasant land”. As some of you may know a lot of my running is around the Dorking area and the Surrey Hills, which consist of the North Downs and the Greensand Hills. There’s no easy running around here and as a consequence the local marathons are all tough off road affairs. One of the toughest and, in-fact, claimed to be the hardest marathon in Britain (which I agree with) is the Picnic Marathon. I ran that last year in 2011, it’s a brutal two lap event which goes up, down and around Box Hill. It’s orginised by Robert McCaffrey (AKA Dr Rob) of Trionium who’s strap line is “There's tough, and then there's Trionium... the hardest stuff known to man”! So when planning on running the Greensand Marathon (another of Dr Rob’s) earlier this year I knew exactly what I was in for. Starting on the outskirts of Dorking, the marathon, which has a total of 5,200 feet of ascent and descent takes place on the Lower Greensand Ridge which are rocks formed about 110-120 million years ago during the Lower Cretaceous period for all you Geologists out there. Due to the recent rain it was obvious that conditions were going to be muddy even if it didn’t rain on the day, and of course there were going to be lots of hills. But the main issue for me and I should think a few others was the strict cut-off time of 73 minutes at the quarter way point (6.55 miles) at the top of Leith Hill with its Gothic tower. This is the highest point in Southeast England from where you can see sweeping views towards London in the north and the English Channel in the south. Any runner, who didn’t make it, would be turned back by Dr Rob and his band of merry men, to return to the finish with just a half marathon completed. While not wishing to be disrespectful to half marathon runners, forty one and a half marathons wouldn’t have been any good for me, so the pressure was on right from the start. - If you would like to read more then check out my full blog here at http://60in60at60.com/2012/10/21/m42-greensand/Date of review: October 30, 2012

In short: A little adventure. You are at risk of not wanting to run flat marathons ever again ;)In full: Great race, very enjoyable. As with any evil all-hills marathon, make sure you pace yourself to avoid premature disappointment and a painful end :)The course was extremely muddy at times so I would not recommend wearing any random shoe.I would not chose this as a first-time marathon... run a flat one first, and then spice things up running this one at a later stage!My only concern is running at times in 1 meter wide paths surrounded by barbed wire fences while the path is significantly slippery...Date of review: October 26, 2012

In short: Great atmosphere, hills, tree's, mud and a fry up at the end what more could you want!In full: Excellent race, all the runners and marshals enthusiastic and shouting words of encouragement.A tough out and back course made a bit tougher in the wet going.Top marks to anyone who got round and especially to the super fast guy that smashed the course record and looked like he was having a lovely time doing it! Thanks to Dr Rob for organising another great hilly race.Date of review: October 24, 2012

In short: If you like a trail and you like a marathon, here's your race!In full: For me this is a perfect event, it is why I love to run. Fantastic enthusiasm and organisation by Dr Rob and the gang, beautiful scenery (even though it was misty on this occasion) and a few quirks that you could only get with an event of this size. The medal, mug and running top you get at the end are great! And special mention for the ladies who put together a very welcoming breakfast post race, very well received.Date of review: October 24, 2012